8.8.23 - Matthew 19:19b-21
The single greatest act of compassion might be to act as though love is inexhaustible. How would it change your day if this were what you believed?
“‘Also, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’”
Perfection is a scary thing–most of us are keenly aware that we are far from perfect.
While Jesus clearly loves imperfect people, he encourages all to the goal of perfection.
This comment to the inquisitive man echoes his conclusion of the central legal treatise in his Sermon on the Mount: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Parent is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
Both exhortations of perfection are connected to a particular instruction: love–a love that expands the standard of neighbor-love to love of enemies and devoted compassion toward the poor and afflicted.
We reach perfection, that is, the heart of God, when we show love, especially when it expands us, when it’s inconvenient, gracious, compassionate, and selfless.
How might you expand the love you show?
Love challenges us to expand our world. Yet, we often see it through a zero-sum game lens. If I give you love, there won't be enough for me or other important people.
The single greatest act of compassion might be to act as though love is inexhaustible. How would it change your day if this were what you believed?
--Evan Amo